“Karen’s Notes!
Insights from a Glory-Bound Lady”

Karen and I were married for forty-six years. She blessed my life in many ways. Karen knew the Lord in a personal, saving way and greatly loved Him. She also loved her family very much. For those who knew her, you will remember that Karen was a lady of few words. She didn’t talk a lot and writing was even less. But when she communicated, it was worth your while to stop and listen.

Karen went Home to be with the Lord on April 4, 2017 after battling cancer for a little over two years. In the months since her Homegoing, I have been reading her Bible and thinking about some of the notes that she wrote either in the margin or in a notebook that she kept with her study Bible. Some of the entries are far too personal to ever share publicly. I know her well enough to know what notes can be shared and must be shared. You might not be facing something as dramatic as a terminal illness, but surely there are hard situations that you or a loved one is facing. I’d like to welcome you to a new feature on my website called “Karen’s Notes! Insights from a Glory-Bound Lady!”

Selected Notes
Volume 1 Number 1 “Karen’s Profound Security”

I was with Karen publicly, and obviously I was with Karen privately on the adventure of cancer. What you saw and heard in public is exactly what I saw at home. While she didn’t enjoy having cancer, she didn’t fall apart. There was a quiet sense of security she knew. We talked about everything. She was concerned about our family and me but not about herself. She often told me that never had she felt so secure. Then I found her notes about “security.” They are so encouraging to me. Here is the verse:

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called by thy name; thou art mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Karen wrote: 1. It is POWERFUL “I have redeemed thee” (1a).
2. It is PERSONAL “I have called thee by name” (1b)
3. It is PRECIOUS “Thou art mine” (1c)
Because of these three, “FEAR NOT!”

Mike’s observation: The “fear not” doesn’t mean that Godly believers never experience fear. However, I can tell you that walking with the Lord Jesus, the One Who not only created us but also redeemed us, brings about the most wonderful security known. The powerful promises that the Lord gave to Isaiah to give to us were among some of Karen’s favorites. The Lord already had prepared us that Karen’s time with me was growing short when the doctor told us that she was going to die within a few weeks. I wish you could have heard her explain to the doctor why she was not afraid. “It is going Home. There is no fear. It is a relief.” If you know Christ, listen for the Redeemer’s voice to whisper His powerful, personal, precious words of security to you! Imagine Him holding you and whispering, “Fear not!”